"Calling Gen 4 ACR Owners" for a prevention precaution tip. SRT Engineers?
- Thread starter JonB
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This just happened to me.... outside hatch release stopped working.... Best fix option ?
JonB (Mr. Viper Guru), et al,
Can someone pls advise whether or not I should be concerned about this perplexing issue? I'm looking to trade my '09 Coupe for a 2010 Aero or 2010 ACR sometime this year.
Should I be concerned? This post concerns me, and it begs the question - why should I trade in a fine (trouble free/knock on wood) car for a new 2010 car that could cause me consternation in the future?
I understand the issue is w/early build '08s? Are '09 and '10 editions included in this issue as well? Do I understand this correctly?
Pls advise...
Tks in advance/waiting w/bated breath,
BB
Can someone pls advise whether or not I should be concerned about this perplexing issue? I'm looking to trade my '09 Coupe for a 2010 Aero or 2010 ACR sometime this year.
Should I be concerned? This post concerns me, and it begs the question - why should I trade in a fine (trouble free/knock on wood) car for a new 2010 car that could cause me consternation in the future?
I understand the issue is w/early build '08s? Are '09 and '10 editions included in this issue as well? Do I understand this correctly?
Pls advise...
Tks in advance/waiting w/bated breath,
BB
BUY THE '10 BEFORE THEY ARE GONE! And be slow and deliberate with your Aero-decklid.
Heck, it happened to MY car and I am not too concerned! Its just a strut anchor.....I stated I am not yelling "FIRE" but I just wanted fellow ACR Owners to be careful opening-closing IF in fact there is a strut issue.
Had I been paying attention earlier, maybe I would not have popped my strut anchor. I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN SRT ENGINEEERS, (copied on the thread and sent both links) and I know they plan to address this concern on the 6/21 Tech Talk. "WHAT A COMPANY" we have teamed with! Try that as a Vette or Porsche etc owner...
I do believe that the "solution" to preventing the problem may be as simple as switching to the $35 "Blue" hatch struts that dont operate as strongly as Pink Aero-struts apparently do. Then, be cautious when your deck is UP on a hill or in a breeze.
Heck, it happened to MY car and I am not too concerned! Its just a strut anchor.....I stated I am not yelling "FIRE" but I just wanted fellow ACR Owners to be careful opening-closing IF in fact there is a strut issue.
Had I been paying attention earlier, maybe I would not have popped my strut anchor. I HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN SRT ENGINEEERS, (copied on the thread and sent both links) and I know they plan to address this concern on the 6/21 Tech Talk. "WHAT A COMPANY" we have teamed with! Try that as a Vette or Porsche etc owner...
I do believe that the "solution" to preventing the problem may be as simple as switching to the $35 "Blue" hatch struts that dont operate as strongly as Pink Aero-struts apparently do. Then, be cautious when your deck is UP on a hill or in a breeze.
VIPER GTSR 91
Enthusiast
Jeeze Jon glad you posted this but now Im afraid to even open the hatch again on my 09 ACR. $100k car and we have to deal with this.
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Would be nice to get the name of the better 3M adhesive .....
UPDATE Sat 6/25......
We have identified 7 cars, all 08-09 ACRs, but we still need the VIN # from poster RED FANG. I have sent him a PM, but if anyone knows him it would be a help to get his vin and Left-Righ-Color details. 6 cars gave way LEFT side...1 gave way RIGHT. One Leftie later also gave way RIGHT! To put this in proper perspective, 7 cars is less than 1% of ACR-ARY cars for 08-09....so I hope you dont think I was yelling "fire" where there is NONE. But is is worth being careful and observant.
Furthermore: I am a bit embarassed to say that Retrieving the adhesive-backed strut anchor support assembly took me 60 SECONDS. Thanks to SRT Engineers, I learned how to pop-off the long, triangular trim panel that runs from the drivers headrest to the back window. POP! It would be an EASY thing to pop off that panel and "FEEL" the rivited assembly for looseness if you are so inclined. It also just repositions and POPS back on.
My 09 ACR Left support appears to have worked loose at the top rivet first. Who knows how long that allowed the remaining adhesive to slowly release? And I did NOT notice, but YOU CAN! The later 2 POP noises were my final warning, and the bottom rivet then sheared. The adhesive was hard and glossy between that riveted strut anchor support and body. SRT engineers assure a "robust fix"
Thanks to those who quickly sent VINS, especially John Gastman and Bernie Katz ...and JoeB for GREAT photos in the prior thread. Plz, someone find RedFang? Mods know how?
JonB~~~~~:<~ 'field testt engunear'
We have identified 7 cars, all 08-09 ACRs, but we still need the VIN # from poster RED FANG. I have sent him a PM, but if anyone knows him it would be a help to get his vin and Left-Righ-Color details. 6 cars gave way LEFT side...1 gave way RIGHT. One Leftie later also gave way RIGHT! To put this in proper perspective, 7 cars is less than 1% of ACR-ARY cars for 08-09....so I hope you dont think I was yelling "fire" where there is NONE. But is is worth being careful and observant.
Furthermore: I am a bit embarassed to say that Retrieving the adhesive-backed strut anchor support assembly took me 60 SECONDS. Thanks to SRT Engineers, I learned how to pop-off the long, triangular trim panel that runs from the drivers headrest to the back window. POP! It would be an EASY thing to pop off that panel and "FEEL" the rivited assembly for looseness if you are so inclined. It also just repositions and POPS back on.
My 09 ACR Left support appears to have worked loose at the top rivet first. Who knows how long that allowed the remaining adhesive to slowly release? And I did NOT notice, but YOU CAN! The later 2 POP noises were my final warning, and the bottom rivet then sheared. The adhesive was hard and glossy between that riveted strut anchor support and body. SRT engineers assure a "robust fix"
Thanks to those who quickly sent VINS, especially John Gastman and Bernie Katz ...and JoeB for GREAT photos in the prior thread. Plz, someone find RedFang? Mods know how?
JonB~~~~~:<~ 'field testt engunear'
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boy wonder
Enthusiast
I have a 09 ACR red by the way. The left side paint is cracking around the base.
Robin
Robin
Cracking of the paint around the rivets of that strut support MIGHT indicate it is flexing. If this were my car, two persons would work best: I would CAREFULLY elevate the hatch, and have someone feel the rivets and support anchor at the top-stop position...especially when one person is transitioning it ever-so-slightly from up-down-up. Is the anchor-support moving at all? If so, that would not be a good thing. It mightsuggest that the adhesive underside has come loose, and the rivets alone are holding it loosely in place.
And you might then shoot me your VIN as noted above.
And you might then shoot me your VIN as noted above.
This is my first post on the forum and tonight my 09 acr strut mount on the driver's side failed. Car has a little over 4k on it. I will PM you min VIN tmr. Some paint got scratched which ****** me off. BTW I saw this thread when it first was started and was always very careful with my hatch.
Sorry for the problem. I have received and forwarded your data, thanks.
When you saw the thread, did you examine the strut for looseness? Did you remove the now-flopping strut? That loose end is what does the damage... TAKE IT OFF.... there is small retaining-clip collar on the other end. Pop it off with a small, flat blade/screwdriver and BE CAREFUL that this clip does not fly across the yard.... . JonB~~~~:<~
In my case, the "One Legged" hatch is canted to one side by the extreme pressure of one strut. The hatch-to-quarter seam is now 1/32" on the left, and 1/2" on the right. Be even MORE careful closing a 1-legged hatch.
Boy Wonder ?? Status of 'cracked paint' strut mount?
boy wonder
Enthusiast
Jon
I got your PM. You asked me for my vin# but not to pm it back to you. I guess you wanted me to put it in this open forum?. I have no idea who you are. I don't think putting my vin in an open forum is a great idea. I also am not sure why my vin is even needed.
Thanks for sharing your information about the hinge but I decline to give my Vin out.
Robin
I got your PM. You asked me for my vin# but not to pm it back to you. I guess you wanted me to put it in this open forum?. I have no idea who you are. I don't think putting my vin in an open forum is a great idea. I also am not sure why my vin is even needed.
Thanks for sharing your information about the hinge but I decline to give my Vin out.
Robin
Boy Wonder Robin: Im not trying to stalk you or spam you. I invited affected owners above in post # 39 to Email me the last 9 digits of your VIN. Not POST it! I also replied to you in post # 43 above. I PMd to invite your call. I did all I could to try and help, and I have no idea who you are either!
Several owners and 2 dealers have replied. Thanks to them. I dont want your name, address, phone, license plate, or SSN. If you wont share 9 digits and your email adress, PRIVATELY that is certainly your right. But the paint cracking on your rivets is a likely warning sign, that may be of singular interest. So, Don't be part of the solution....back to yur Bat Cave, and thanks anyway.
RED FANG: Got your data, thanks. Stay Tuned.
SCHULMANN: Note: Gen 4 ACR / ARY COUPES ONLY . "Gen 4 Viper Coupes" as you mention are apparently NOT affected for reasons mentioned above.
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Robin / Boy Wonder: Just a fellow Club member and Viper owner here passing along what could be the most valuable information you'll want to have, for the duration you own & drive your Viper. You are new here so it's clearly understood why you have no idea who Jon / PartsRack is. Without going into detail here (which might be quite boring to all other Viper owners), Jon is one of the most valuable resources to each Club and Viper owner! Read his signature line ... it's true, and he is a man of his word. I don't post on the Forum much at all and primarily know Jon by name (not Forum tagline). I've done business with him since acquiring my first ACR in 1999. He provided support, information and everything I needed, including support for that car (still owned), my 2003 SRT-10 and my current 2008 ACR. Don't take my word for it .... I'm sure others who know Jon and have done business with him will reply to this note in full and total agreement. Do yourself, and your fellow Club members a favor; provide your information to Jon so you can be included in the fix coming from Viper.
Thanks
Red Fang/Stuart
Thanks
Red Fang/Stuart
ViperGeorge
Enthusiast
There is now a service bulletin issued for repair of the mounting bracket for the hatch pistion. It is Service Bulletin(s) 23-041-11 2008-2010 (ZB) Viper Coupe Rattling And/Or Loose Decklid Gas Prop Bracket (control number K23-44-11)
Noteworthy, the TSB is tested and good-2-go, and is for Gen 4 COUPES with a loose or rattling strut. NOT ACR-SPECIFIC. Gen 3 coupes not affacted.
Thanks SRT for the Follow-Up
Thanks SRT for the Follow-Up
ViperGeorge
Enthusiast
Here is the service bulletin to repair coupe hatch piston bracket.
You must be registered for see images attach
Looks like this bulletin addresses ALL 2008-2010 Coupes, anybody experience any problems with non-ACRs yet? Doesn't look like something I want my local dealer to do, I had to show them how to unlock a customers car when the battery was dead.
bushido
Viper Owner
Good thread, as I just bought a 2010 ACR. Thank you..
ViperGeorge
Enthusiast
Yes the service bulletin appears to cover all coupes but my guess is the problem most likely appears on the ACR because the hatch is heavier due to the wing and the piston is stronger.
Would also appear sooner on ARY-Aero-pacakge coupes, but the 'adhesive issue' has involved Gen-4-non-aero, none ACR
"If you hear pops or rattles, GET R DONE"
"If you hear pops or rattles, GET R DONE"
Cobraken
Enthusiast
I was thinking about adding ACR struts to my hatch to help support the wing. Advisable?
Ken: If your winged deck is falling/sinking, adding the HD struts will stop that; but they also might overpower the OE adhesive! Not Broke, Dont Fix....
Again, the TSB investigation revealed rare incidente of 2008-2010 Coupes, regardless of ACR, Aero, or not. We are taking dozens of examples only, not hundreds. But DONT IGNORE a Rattle Or POP when using the Gen 4 Coupe hatch, and close it slowly, not slamming it!
JonB ~~~~:<~
Cobraken
Enthusiast
Well, the deck hasn't hit me in the head yet so I guess I'll wait.
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Jon,
Where can we go to print out the TSB.
Don't have any issues but rarely open the hatch on my ACR (except to adjust the Motons!)
Dan
Where can we go to print out the TSB.
Don't have any issues but rarely open the hatch on my ACR (except to adjust the Motons!)
Dan
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